I've noticed in Activity Monitor that the "Security Agent" process is consuming 100% of a CPU core. What's more is that there are 4 "Security Agent" processes running, each at 100%!
I've noticed this problem happens every 7 days or so and I can't figure out why. The only reason I notice is that I come up to my iMac and the fans are running trying to cool the thing as it struggles with the runs away "Security Agent" processes.
Please help!
iMac 27", 10.15
I do not see such a process on my system. I found a reference in one of the Developers manuals:
Security Agent
The Security Agent is a separate process that provides the user interface for the Security Server in macOS (not iOS). Its primary purpose is to request authentication whenever an app requests additional privileges.
When the Security Server requires the user to authenticate, the Security Agent displays a dialog requesting a user name and password. The advantages of performing this action in a separate process are twofold. First, an application can obtain authorization without ever having access to the user’s credentials (username and password, for example). Second, it enables Apple to add new forms of authentication without requiring every application to understand them.
The Security Agent requires that the user be physically present in order to be authenticated. Because the graphical user interface elements can’t be used through a command-line interface such as the Terminal app or a secure shell (ssh) remote session, this restriction makes it much more difficult for a malicious user to breach an app’s security.
Perhaps this may help you track down what is causing the problem. One thing you might try:
About Safe Mode
Boot into safe mode then restart normally. This clears out a number of caches which may stop the process from eating up so much CPU time. Safe mode is much slower than a normal startup, so be patient.
Still getting this issue for my MacBook Pro (15-inch 2018), MacOs Catalina 10.15.2.
Annoying...
Still happening. The only pattern I have noticed is that it seems to happen when my daughter uses her account, which is under parental control. Please help Apple! What info do you need?
I have the same issue since I created an account for the other members of my family in my Mac mini 2018. It disappears for a few days when I reboot, but then appears again.
It is very disappointing.
I too have this issue whilst running normal account - RMBP Mid-2012 MaocOS 10.15.3; second account logged with parental controls enabled
Seems that we're closing in on a diagnose, which can lead to a proper solution from development :-)
I think this is a Catalina issue not a hardware issue - the first time I experienced it was once I’d added an account to my 2012 rMBP for my son and he’d left himself logged in.
I don’t think it is a hardware problem. I have been using the Mac Mini for 1 year in Mojave without this issue and only when moving to Catalina started to suffer it.
Hi , you have probably given access to some particular app
Runs so hot and noisy - same
could you please stop trolling? help to solve a problem or don't write please.
I noticed the same issue happening when kids log on to their account.
OS version is 10.15.4 so its not fixed by updates.
Thanks Kappy, this is helpful. The problem goes away when I reboot the machine (safe mode or not). Once I start back up I don't see the process either. Maybe while I am away the Security Agent is trying to display a dialog or ask my permission to do something and can't? I'll try booting into safe mode and see if clearing those caches you mentioned helps.
I also notice(d) this unusual behaviour of the SecurityAgent process now and then, unrelated to using Parent Control, but maybe related to booting a secondary user account on my MacBook Pro 16" (2019) with Catalina 10.15.3. I'll see if I can see a pattern in it. Signing-out that user didn't stop the activity. Restarting the whole MacBook indeed made it go away...
@Paddy and @Karioko: I was referring to the specific case Stickman was describing (with mis MBP 16"). He was suffering from an intermittent problem, with no obvious pattern in two weeks. Do not rule out hardware !
So let's not try to diagnose different situations by the same cause. Problems often enjoy eachother's company, so they flock together in mixed settings. In most of such situations it can be a combination of various factors, like a typical hardware configuration or activity, combined with a certain system or application. Keep looking for any patterns !
I only got this problem when an external monitor is connected.
Security Agent causing high cpu
